Ever heard or seen a variation of that comment anywhere before?⁣

(Orrrrr maybe even thought something like that before?⁣)

In 2015, Elder Christofferson gave one of those General Conference talks that has just stuck in my mind, titled: “Why the Church”.

Elder Christofferson spends his entire talk outlining why we actually are organized into and asked to attend a church. ⁣

Spirituality is, of course, a personal journey. ⁣

But there are unique purposes for an organized church.⁣

He said, among many things: ⁣

“In the Church we not only learn divine doctrine; we also experience its application.”⁣

This is what I’ve learned to love about church the most, especially recently. ⁣

We teach each other with new perspectives in church, and we practice applying what “loving your neighbor” and service really look like.

In Doctrine and Covenants 43:8, the Lord counsels members of the church: ⁣

“That when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.”⁣

We need to interact with and edify people who are lacking. ⁣

Someone at church needs to see you, being exactly who you are. ⁣

They need to hear that comment you’ll make, or just see you showing up after they know you had a tough week. ⁣

So why the church? ⁣

There are many beautiful answers to this question (seriously, just go listen to Elder Christofferson’s talk, because obviously the Sacrament is THE main reason). ⁣

But today, I’m loving the answer that we need each other.

Not the perfect versions of ourselves that we think we need to become first. ⁣

But we need each other, exactly as we are. ⁣

Messy, unsure, overwhelmed, trying our best, super tired, feeling inadequate…⁣

We can show up exactly as we are, and still instruct and edify others. And we need to be instructed and edified by other people, no matter who they are.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Why go to church? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

What doesn’t edify you?

And, try not to roll your eyes too hard, because I think this is like my second time EVER citing the dictionary, BUT…

I found the definition of “edify” to be very intriguing:

“To instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually.”

What a perfect test, huh?!

The things that aren’t instructing me or helping me improve in some way, are not from God.

Which means… the opposite is true, too!

I LOVE reading my scriptures. Like, those totally are edifying in my life.

But there are also a ton of non-church-y things that edify me.

In fact, I love using the marker of “edify” to draw my firm line in the ever-shifting sand.

If a podcast is fascinating and it leaves me feeling edified, I am ALL for it!

And if a podcast doesn’t leave me feeling like a better person for having listened, then it’s probably one to work out of my regular listening schedule.

I don’t have to worry so much about ratings or count the bad words when it comes to media.

I just… know if I’m edified or not.

I know if I’m learning something useful. Or if I’m enjoying myself in an uplifting way.

Sometimes though, I’ve learned I have to take a much more mature approach to judging “edification”.

Because I don’t know about you, but trying to parent two little kids all day doesn’t always leave me feeling “instructed and improved”.

…in the moment.

While I’m actually scrubbing the toilet or folding that shirt for the millionth time, I don’t usually feel awesome about it.

But I know God is looking for spiritual maturity.

What is edifying me in the long-run? What is making me a better human being? A more Christlike woman?

Am I developing skills and qualities that will improve and instruct me when it comes to the big picture?

Or am I helping to improve and instruct others, thus chipping away at my own selfish tendencies?

Sometimes, judging “edification” is black and white. But other times, I have to take a step back and lean into my spiritual maturity to see what is really going to edify me.

Because if it edifies me, it is given to me of God.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post To edify or not to edify first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Ever heard or seen a variation of that comment anywhere before?

Orrrrr maybe even thought something like that before?

In 2015, Elder Christofferson gave one of those General Conference talks that has just stuck in my mind, titled: “Why the Church”.

Elder Christofferson spends his entire talk outlining why we actually are organized into and asked to attend a church.

Spirituality is, of course, a personal journey.

But there are unique purposes for an organized church.

He said, among many things:

“In the Church we not only learn divine doctrine; we also experience its application.”

This is what I’ve learned to love about church the most, especially recently.

We teach each other with new perspectives in church, and we practice applying what “loving your neighbor” and service really look like.

In Doctrine and Covenants 43:8, the Lord counsels members of the church:

“That when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.”

There is a reason we are going back towards full activities resuming in the church.

We need to interact with and edify people who are lacking.

Someone at church needs to see you, being exactly who you are.

They need to hear that comment you’ll make, or just see you showing up after they know you had a tough week.

So why the church?

There are many beautiful answers to this question (seriously, just go listen to Elder Christofferson’s talk, because obviously the Sacrament is THE main reason).

But today, I’m loving the answer that we need each other.

Not the perfect versions of ourselves that we think we need to become first.

But we need each other, exactly as we are.

Messy, unsure, overwhelmed, trying our best, super tired, feeling inadequate…

We can show up exactly as we are, and still instruct and edify others. And we need to be instructed and edified by other people, no matter who they are.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Instruct and edify first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.